Mississippi Small Business Development Center

What Mississippi Small Business Development Center does

The Mississippi SBDC Network is a federally accredited nonprofit small business development organization operating under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and hosted by The University of Mississippi. It provides free, confidential one-on-one business counseling, live and on-demand training workshops, and a growing portfolio of specialized programs (the RISE Center, Digital Marketing Bootcamp, SSBCI Technical Assistance, Manufacturers Resource Hub, and ConnectMS) to small business owners and entrepreneurs across all 82 Mississippi counties. Services are delivered through 19 locations staffed by 26+ named personnel and hosted at major Mississippi universities and community colleges including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Jackson State, Alcorn State, Hinds Community College, and East Central Community College.

The network's portfolio is service-based rather than technology-based. Core offerings include feasibility studies, business planning, legal structure advisory, financial projections, loan packaging, and digital marketing training that increasingly incorporates AI tools for content creation, website optimization, and marketing automation. The RISE Center, launched in 2023, layers in advanced capabilities covering cybersecurity, digital transformation, international trade, financial analysis, market research, and tech commercialization, while the Manufacturers Resource Hub and ConnectMS extend reach into manufacturing and tech verticals. The platform layer is a self-service counseling registration portal (clients.mississippisbdc.org) and standard content channels (website, blog, social media, newsletter via Constant Contact).

Revenue mechanics are entirely grant-driven, not commercial. The network operates under a 50/50 federal-nonfederal cost-sharing arrangement with the SBA, with additional funding from SSBCI Technical Assistance ($2.36M), SSBCI SBOP ($1.79M), SBA Portable Assistance ($100K), and SCRC SEID ($416K), totaling approximately $6.98M annually. Services are predominantly free to clients, with nominal fees only on certain specialized workshops. The go-to-market is sales-led and office-based: clients register through the website or a 1-800 number, are matched with subject-matter counselors, and receive tailored guidance sessions, supplemented by statewide training events and the annual Digital Marketing Bootcamp delivered across 10 locations.

Name

Mississippi Small Business Development Center

Legal name

Mississippi Small Business Development Center Network

Website

https://mississippisbdc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Mississippi SBDC Network is a federally funded nonprofit providing free, confidential business counseling, training, and specialized services through the RISE Center and Digital Marketing Bootcamp to small business owners and entrepreneurs across all 82 Mississippi counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Small Business Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

SBA/USDA Government-Backed Loan Intermediation (FSAEAEAI)

Keywords

• Small business counseling
• Business advisory services
• Entrepreneurship training
• Business development support
• Technical assistance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

University

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding - SBA Cooperative Agreement: Primary funding through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Federal share provides 50% ($1,154,065) with matching non-federal share ($1,154,065), totaling $2,308,130 for Small Business Development Center operations.
2. Portable Assistance Grant: Federal grant of $100,000 from SBA Portable Assistance Program supporting training delivery in rural communities.
3. SSBCI Technical Assistance Program: State Small Business Credit Initiative funding ($2,364,320) providing technical assistance including legal, accounting, training, and loan application guidance to small businesses and startups.
4. SSBCI Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP): Additional SSBCI funding of $1,788,754 for small business opportunity programs.
5. SCRC State Economic and Infrastructure Development: Southern Crescent Regional Commission funding ($416,000 total; $312,000 federal, $104,000 non-federal) for economic development initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Mississippi SBDC Network provides free, confidential one-on-one business counseling and training to entrepreneurs and small business owners across all 82 Mississippi counties. Core services include feasibility studies, business planning, legal structure guidance, financial projections, loan packaging, on-demand and live training workshops, the Digital Marketing Bootcamp with AI-powered marketing training, and advanced services through the RISE Center covering cybersecurity, digital transformation, international trade, financial analysis, market research, and tech commercialization.

Product overview

The Mississippi SBDC Network is a service-based organization offering a portfolio of no-cost and low-cost business development programs. Core offerings include confidential one-on-one business counseling, training workshops (both on-demand and live), the Digital Marketing Bootcamp, and the RISE Center for advanced business support. The organization also administers the SSBCI Technical Assistance Program and operates the Manufacturers Resource Hub and ConnectMS digital hub. Services are delivered through 19 strategically located centers across the state, serving all 82 Mississippi counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RISE Center: Resources for International Success and Expansion Center at Ole Miss providing cybersecurity, digital transformation, international trade, financial analysis, market research, and tech commercialization services.
• Digital Marketing Bootcamp
• Manufacturers Resource Hub
• SSBCI Technical Assistance Program

Products and services

• Business Counseling Services
• Training Workshops
• Digital Marketing Bootcamp
• RISE Center (Resources for International Success and Expansion)
• SSBCI Technical Assistance Program
• Manufacturers Resource Hub
• ConnectMS

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, moderate and minor.

• The University of MississippicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for the Mississippi SBDC Network. University of Mississippi hosts the main center in Oxford and the RISE Center, and provides institutional support and credibility to the program.
• Alcorn State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner hosting SBDC center locations in Lorman, Natchez, and Vicksburg to serve surrounding communities.
• East Central Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partner hosting SBDC center in Decatur to serve local and regional small businesses.
• Hinds Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity college partner hosting SBDC center with locations in Raymond, Vicksburg, and Pearl serving central Mississippi.
• Jackson State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorically Black university partner hosting SBDC center serving Jackson area small businesses.
• Mississippi State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner hosting SBDC center with locations in Starkville and Meridian serving eastern Mississippi.
• Mississippi Development AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency providing resources for business growth, tax incentives, site selection assistance, and business certifications. Featured on stakeholders page.
• Hancock WhitneymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bank featured as stakeholder supporting small business development in Mississippi.
• Mississippi Secretary of State's Office Business Services DivisionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency offering vital business support including registration, filings, and compliance services. Central hub for business formation and record-keeping.
• Innovate MississippimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState innovation agency supporting entrepreneurship through the Mississippi Angel Investor Network for early-stage capital and CoBuilders accelerator program for high-growth startups. Also administers InvestMS venture capital and direct investment programs.
• Alabama SBDCmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the original Digital Marketing Bootcamp program, bringing high-quality training to rural Mississippi communities.
• University of Georgia SBDCmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the original Digital Marketing Bootcamp program, supported by SBA's Portable Assistance Program.
• Mississippi Manufacturers Association (MMA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading voice for Mississippi's manufacturing community, offering policy advocacy, workforce programs, events, and industry-specific services through the Manufacturers Resource Hub.
• University of Mississippi Center for Manufacturing ExcellencemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides world-class education and training in manufacturing engineering, business, and operations. Resource for workforce development and industry collaboration.
• The Accelerator at Innovation HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness incubator supporting high-tech and manufacturing startups with office space, lab access, mentoring, and proximity to USM Research Park.
• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) CentersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network under Department of Commerce offering technical assistance, productivity improvements, market expansion, and help adopting new technologies for manufacturers.
• SBA Make Onshoring Great Again PortalmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree SBA tool connecting businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers, and suppliers to reshore operations, strengthen supply chains, and support domestic sourcing.
• International Trade Administration (ITA)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency connecting U.S. manufacturers with export assistance, global market tools, and guidance for sourcing domestically or internationally.
• Marion County Development PartnershipmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development organization in Columbia, Mississippi serving as SBDC host site for Marion County.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• America's SBDC: National association that accredits and represents all U.S. SBDC networks including Mississippi. Directly comparable as the umbrella body for the same program model, federal funding relationship, and counseling/training delivery framework.
• Louisiana SBDC: Adjacent Gulf South SBDC operating the same SBA-funded counseling and training program. Comparable scale, regional economic profile, and host-institution model.
• Arkansas SBDC: State SBDC network with similar rural/Southern SMB base, same federal funding model, and university-hosted delivery. Direct peer for benchmarking utilization and program design.
• SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives): Federally-supported nonprofit providing free small business mentoring and training nationwide. Closest direct peer in mission, free-counseling model, and SBA relationship, though delivered by volunteers rather than paid staff.
• Tennessee SBDC: Regional SBDC peer operating under the same SBA cooperative agreement structure in a neighboring Southeastern state. Comparable services, funding model, and university-host arrangement.
• Alabama SBDC: Neighboring state SBDC network that co-developed the original Digital Marketing Bootcamp with Mississippi SBDC. Operates the same SBA-funded counseling and training model in a comparable state economy.

Broad incumbents

• Small Business Majority: National small-business advocacy and resource organization offering research-backed counseling, webinars, and policy advocacy. Comparable free-advisory mission for SMBs, though operating nationally rather than within a single state network.
• U.S. Small Business Administration: Federal agency that funds and oversees the entire SBDC network including Mississippi SBDC. Parent/funder relationship; comparable only at the program-architecture level rather than as a competing service provider.

Others

• Mississippi Development Authority: State-level economic development organization listed as a Mississippi SBDC stakeholder. Comparable in mission around business growth in Mississippi but with broader site selection, tax incentives, and certification focus.

Regional players

• Innovate Mississippi: Mississippi-focused innovation agency and SBDC stakeholder offering the CoBuilders accelerator, angel network, and InvestMS capital programs. Overlapping audience (Mississippi entrepreneurs) but distinct delivery model focused on high-growth and capital access.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mississippiSBDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/mississippiSBDC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mississippi Small Business Development Center